Ground brake



'Seltl, 1953 P. DURKIN 2,650,679

GROUND BRAKE Filed Jan. 14, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l Paniek Dur/m INVENTOR.

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P. DURKIN GROUND BRAKE Sept. l, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 14, 1952 N .um

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GROUND BRAKE Filed Jan. 14, 1952 4 SheebS-Sheef, 5

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Parick Durkin mmvm -BY ana/M 29mm P. DURKIN GROUND BRAKE sept. 1, 1953 4 Sheets-Sme?l 4 Filed Jan. 14, 1952 Patrick Dur/rin INVENToR. wllana/Www Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES @ATENT OFFICE GROUND BRAKE Patrick Durkin, Chicago, Ill'.

Application January 14, 1952, Serial No. 266,308

(Cl. 18S-5) 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a ground brake and particularly to an auxiliary braking equipment pivotally mounted to the rear of a self-propelled vehicle and having means for assisting either in braking or propelling the vehicle.

When driving automotive vehicles on slippery surfaces such as mud or ice considerable difficulty is experienced because of the reduced traction between the tires and the surface. The reduced traction frequently results in inability of the vehicle to climb hills or to get started on a slippery surface. Likewise, the lack of traction prevents stopping when an emergency occurs.

The present invention relates toa ground brake or propeller which is adapted to be pivotally mounted on the rear end of a motor vehicle and lowered into contact with the slippery surface to aid in propelling or stopping the car as the case may be. The construction according to the present invention comprises a frame hingedly connected on the rear axle of the automotive vehicle and having elevating means for oscillating the `frame into or out of engaging position with the ground where ground engaging wheels are provided with calks for rm engagement with the slippery surface.

lt is an object of this invention to provide an improved braking device.

lt is a further object of this invention to provide a brake which may be moved into and out of ground engagement.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a ground engaging device which may be utilized either to stop or propel a vehicle.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a brake having positive engagement with a slippery surface.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is a rear elevation of the ground brake applied to a vehicle with portions of the vehicle broken away and in section;

Figure 2 is a cross-section -showing a driving mechanism for the brake and taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure I;

Figure 3 is a cross-section showing the ground Contact mechanism 'and taken substantially on the plane indicated bythe line3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical section showing the section and mounting of the ground contacting element;

Figure 5 is an enlarged end view of the ground wheel showing the mounting of the calks; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevation of the ground Wheel,

In'fthe exemplary embodiment .of the invention a vehicle frame it is supported above a rear axle housing l2 by means of springs ifi. Thel axle housing li has a pair of axles it therein on which are mounted the driving wheels I8 and iii. The rear axle housing l2 is provided with the usual gear casing 22 and in which is mounted the usual driving gears 2d; all of this construction beinU conventional.

A plurality of brackets 3l), 32, 34 and 35 are mounted on the rear axle l2 and extend rearwardly therefrom. Pivot rods 38 and t are mounted in the brackets 30 and 32 and 34 and respectively. A frame 44 has journals 4S and mounted on the pivot rod 38 and journals 5@ and mounted on the pivot rod 4B. The frame is therefore journaled about the pivot rods 38 and [it so that it is cseillatable about an axis dened by the pivot rods 38 and 4B so that it oscillates about an axis substantially parallel to the housing li'. The frame 44 is provided at the central portion thereof with an enlarged annular bushing 5d. A hollow shaft 56 extends through the bushing il andis rigidly connected thereto by suitable means such as welding 58.

A U-shaped frametl is provided with a central annular bearing 52 which is rotatably mounted on the hollow shaft 5t and is retained thereon by means of a collar t3. The U-shaped frame 68 is provided with a central portion 'l0 and angulated end portions i2 and 14, the end portion l2 being provided with a bearing le while the end portion le is provided with a bearing l5. A shaft tit is mounted in the bearing housing 'it and 'i8 by means of roller bearings 82. The central portion of the shaft is provided with a gear iid which engages a gear 86 which is mounted on. a drive shaft 88 which has a gear 90 in driving engagement with the drive gear 2li. The shaft S8 is mounted in the tubular connector 5t in a housing 92. intermediate the ends or the shaft is a universal joint ed; the axis of the universal joint iid being in the axis of the pivot pins 3B and il@ so that the shaft 83 may move with the U-shaped frame @il and the mounting frame dil.

The upper end of the shaft is journaled in a bearing 98 formed-in the closure plate iii of the housing 22, The closure plate lili! is provided with an extension housing Iii? having a iared ball socket it!! in which is-mounted a ball Iit of the hollow shaft 36. A closure ring its keeps the ball l in the socket l lli.

Mounted on the shaft 86 preferably adjacent the bearing housing 'iii` and i8 are ground engaging wheels lili and |i2. rThe wheels tlil and lli are preferably rigidly secured to the shaft by any suitable means such as thesplined joint l it. That portion of the shaft 8U between thevwheels H0 and H2 and the housing-92 is provided with a housing havingvtwo sectionsflZ and l22. The

housing |20 is rigidly connected in non-rotative relation to the central portion 10 of the U-shaped frame by means of extending brackets |24 and |26 while a portion of the housing |22 is connected to the central portion by brackets |28 and |30. Preferably the portions of the shaft are connected to the shaft 86 by means of suitable bearings |32. Wheels ||0 and ||2 are each provided with a central hub |34 which is provided with splines |36 which engage the splines |38 of the shaft 80. A central web |40 is attached to the hub |34 and at the outer periphery thereof is provided with laterally extending rims |42. The rims |42 are provided with a plurality of rows of threaded apertures |44 herein shown as two rows one on each side of the web |40. Ground engaging calks |46 having a threaded body i452 threadedly engages the threaded openings |44. The calk |46 is provided with a wrench engaging portion of square or hexagonal shape 53 and the inner end of the body |48 is provided with a square or hexagonal wrench engaging face |52. Preferably the calk |46 is provided with a core of extremely hard metal while the outer shelllike portion is of soft more tenacious material. This provides a soft crust in which there will be a hard central core for penetration into the street or other material on which the vehicle may be progressing so as to secure positive contact therewith.

The ends '.12 and '|4 of the U-shaped frame are provided with apertures 60 through which extends a threaded shank |62 of cutter stems |64 bearing substantially conical cutter heads |66 which are arranged in substantial alignment with and adjacent to the surfaces of calks |46 for cutting mud, ice, tar or other material out of the calks. A threaded shank of the cutter stems |64 are secured to the ends of the U-shaped frame by means of nuts |68 and |10 so that in the event of breaking the threaded shafts may be easily removed from the frame 60.

Frames 44 and 60 are oscillated about the axis dened by the pivot pins 38 and 40 by means of cylinders |80 and |82. The cylinders |80 and |82 are provided with ball ends |84 and |86 which are received in sockets |88 and |90 mounted on the frame |0 of the vehicle. The cylinders |80 and |82 are provided with the usual pistons |92 which extend piston rods |94 and |96, the piston rod |94 being provided with a ball and socket joint |98 which is connected to the end of the U-shaped member 60 while the piston rod |96 is provided with a ball and socket joint 200 which is connected to the ends 14 of the U-shaped bracket 60.

Cylinders |80 and |82 are provided with fluid connections 204 and 206 so that duid may be admitted at either end thereof to expel or retract the pistons |94 and |96. By expelling the pistons |94 and |96 the U-shaped frame 60 and the frame 44 can be oscillated about the axis of the pivot pins 38 and y40 to push the wheels HB and ||2 into contact with the ground. Also by retracting the pistons |94 and |96 frames 44 and 60 may be retracted so that the wheels ||0 and H2 are removed from contact with the ground as clearly shown. in Figure 3.

Each of the wheels ||0 and ||2 is provided with a brake drum 2I0 and 2|2. The drum 2I0 is covered by a housing 2|4 and the drum 2|2 is covered by housing 2|6. The housings 2|4 and 2 I6 are firmly secured on the ends of the shaft housing and have mounted therein by means of studs 2|8 brake shoes 220. The brake shoes 220 4 are forced into engagement with the brake drum 2 |2 by means of pressure cylinders 222 which are supplied with fluid by means of a conduit 224.

t will thus be seen that there has been provided an auxiliary equipment which may be raised or lowered at will from contact with the ground by admitting fluid under pressure to either end of the cylinders |88 and I 82. The ground engaging wheels I0 and ||2 are in driving engagement with the main wheels I8 and 20 by means of a drive shaft 88 and the gearing connected therewith. Thus it will be seen that if the vehicle is incapable of motion over a slippery surface the auxiliary wheels may be lowered into contact with the slippery surface and because of the callas therein will make firm engagement therewith. The auxiliary driving wheels will then propel the vehicle over the slippery surface. It will be obvious that by rm engagement with the pavement either of muddy or icy condition or other conditions such as a wet asphalt pavement the calks will make rm contact to prevent excessive slipping or side play of the vehicle and see that it is propelled definitely along the route. Likewise, the brakes between the housings |20 and |22 and the wheels ||0 and ||2 may be utilized to strictly stop the vehicle in any condition, In emergency the frames 44 and 60 may be expelled against the ground and the brakes applied to stop the vehicle. Also on slippery pavements the brakes may likewise be used to make rm contact with the ground and stop the vehicle in a reasonable distance.

It will also be seen that the present attachment can be applied to vehicles with a minimum of disturbance of the parts thereof. The brackets |88 and |96 can be readily welded to the underneath portion of the frame I0 while the brackets 3D, 32, 34 and 36 may be readily bolted on the housing i2. The normal cover plate oi the housing 22 is removed and the special cover plate |68 attached so that the gear 30 makes contact with the normal driving gear in the housing all without disturbing the original arrangement.

For a purpose of exemplication a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, and described according to the best present understanding thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that many changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the true spirit of the invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a vehicle having a vehicle frame and a rear axle housing, an auxiliary ground engaging member comprising a plurality of brackets mounted on the rear axle housing, a rst frame journaled on said brackets for oscillation about an axis parallel to said housing, a hollow shaft extending through said rst frame, a U-shaped frame mounted on said hollow shaft and journaled for oscillation about an axis perpendicular to said housing, means connected between said vehicle frame and said U-shaped frame for oscillating said rst frame about said parallel axis, ground engaging wheels journaled in said U- shaped frame, brake means operatively engaging said ground engaging wheels.

2. In a vehicle having a vehicle frame and a rear axle housing, an auxiliary ground engaging member comprising a plurality of brackets mounted on the rear axle housing, a first frame journaled on said brackets for oscillation about an axis parallel to said housing, a hollow shaft fixed on vsaid rst frame in perpendicular relation to said rst mentioned axis, a shaped frame journaled on said hollow shaft for oscilu lation about an axis perpendicular to said house ing, means connected between said vehicle frame and. said frame for oscillating said rst frame about said parallel axis, an axle ,iournaled in said U-shap o frame, ground engaging wheels nxed on said means operatively associated with ground-engaging wheels.

3. In a vehicle having a vehicle frame and a rear axle housing, an auxiliary ground engaging member comprising a plurality of brackets mounted on the rear axle housing, a iirst frame .iournaled on said brackets for oscillation about an axis parallel to said housing, a bushing secured centrally of said first frame, a hollow shaft fixed in said bushing, a U-shaped frame ,iournaled on said hollow shaft for oscillation about an axis perpendicular to said housing, means connected between said vehicle frame and said U-shaped frame for oscillating said ii frame about said parallel axis, an axle journaled in said U-shaped frame, ground engaging wheels on said axle, braise means operatively associated with wheels, callrs mounted in the ground engaging surface of said wheels, cleaning cutters mounted on said U-shaped frame and extending adjacent said calks.

fl. In a vehicle having a vehicle frame and a rear axle housing, an auxiliary ground engaging member comp-rising a plurality of brackets mouthed on the rear axle housing, a first frame journaled on said brackets for oscillation about an axis parallel to said housing, a hollow shaft fixed in said first frame and extending perpendicular to said first mentioned axis, a tl-shaped frame journaled on said hollow shaft for oscillation about an perpendicular to said housing, a plurality of fluid operated cylinders connected between the frame of said vehicles and said ll-shaped frame for determining the position of said LJ-shaped frame with respect to said axle housing, a shaft journaled in said U-shaped frame, a plurality of ground engaging wheels secured on said shaft, brake means operatively associated with each of said wheels.

5. In a vehicle having a frame, a rear axle housing, axles in said axle housing andgear means for driving said axles, a frame journaled for oscillation about an axis parallel to said housing, a hollow shaft fixed in transverse relation to said frame a U-shaped frame journaled on said hollow shaft, a shaft journaled in said U-shaped frame, a plurality of wheels secured on said shaft, a housing about said shaft, anchor means securing said shaft housing in rigid nonrotative relation to said U-shaped frame, brake means interposed between said shaft housing and said wheels, a plurality of fluid actuated cylinders connected between said vehicle frame and said U-shaped frame for selectively7 positioning said U-shaped frame.

6. In a vehicle having a frame, a rear axle housing, axles in said axle housing and gear means for driving said axles, a frame journaled for oscillation about an axis parallel to said housing, a transverse shaft mounted on said oscillating frame a U-shaped frame journaled on said transverse shaft, a shaft journaled in said U- shaped frame, a plurality of wheels secured on said shaft, a housing about said shaft, anchor means securing said shaft housing in rigid nonrotative relation to said U-shaped frame, brake means interposed between said shaft housing and said wheels, a plurality of fluid actuated cylinders connected between said vehicle frame and said U-shaped frame for selectively positioning said U-shaped frame, a plurality of circumferential rows of calks mounted on the outer surface of each of said wheels, a plurality7 of cleaning cutters mounted on said U-shaped frame and extending between said rows of callrs.

7. In a vehicle having a frame, a rear axle housing, axles in said axle housing and gear nl eans for driving said axles, a frame journaled for oscillation about an axis parallel to said ho Lsing, a lJ-shaped frame journalecl for oscilla on about is transverse to said oscillating fraaie, o che journaled in said U-shaped frame, a plura ff' wheels secured on said shaft, a housing about said shaft, anchor means securhousing in rigid non-rotative relation to said U-shaped frame, brake means interposed between said shaft housing and said wheels, a plurality of fluid actuated cylinders connected between said vehicle frame and said U-shaped frame for selectively positioning said U-shaped frame, a plurality of circumferential rows of callis mounted on the outer surface of each of said wheels, each of said callrs having a central core of hard metal and an outer sheath of softer metal.

8. In a vehicle having a frame, a rear axle housing, axles in said axle housing and gear means for driving said axles, a frame journaled for oscillation about an axis parallel to said housing, a hollow shaft iixed on said oscillating frarne a U-shaped frame journaled on said hollow shaft, a shaft journaled in said U-shapeol frame, a plurality of wheels secured on said shaft, a housing about said shaft, anchor means securing said shaft housing in rigid non-rotative relation to said U-shaped frame, a brake drum secured on each of said wheels, brake shoes mounted on said shaft housing and engaging said brake drums, and means for controlling the pressure between said shoes and said drum.

9. In a Vehicle having a frame, a rear axle housing, axles in said axle housing and gear means for driving said axles, a frame ,iournaled for oscillation about an axis parallel to said housing, a hollow shaft fixed in said oscillating frame perpendicular to said axis, a U-shaped frame journaled on said hollow shaft, a shaft journaled in said U-shaped frame, a plurality of wheels secured on said shaft, a housing about said shaft, anchor means securing said shaft housing in rigid non-rotative relation to said U- shaped frame, brake means interposed between said shaft housing and said wheels, each of said wheels including a central web, a rim secured on and extending laterally from said web, a peripheral row of threaded openings, calks having threaded Shanks mounted in said threaded openings, wrench engaging portions at each end of said threaded Shanks.

PATRICK DURKIN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 520,278 Wehrenberg May 22, 1894 1,445,562 Shinn Feb. 13, 1923 1,476,716 Kalman Dec. l1, 1923 1,539,476 Gormly May 26, 1925 1,837,946 Bosch Dec. 22, 1931 1,974,773 Clarigliano et al. Sept. 25, I1934i 2,062,931 Raffa Dec. l, 1936 2,544,774 Bredl et al Mar. 13, 1951 

